Matthew 7:7-11 (Devotion)

ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

At times it is easy to read Matthew 7:7-11 and conclude that God will answer every prayer we utter provided we ask in faith. The challenge is that God is not our puppet, genie or Santa Claus whose supreme desire is to make us happy, healthy and wealthy 24/7/365. He simply does not think and act based on our limited knowledge and experience and submit to our authority. Rather, He works through His omniscience according to His sovereign will and for His Glory (not ours). "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is difficult to comprehend the enormity of Matthew 7:7-11 though because our human understanding is limited. Therefore, (for example) when natural disasters strike, terminal illness is diagnosed, or persecution and abuse impact our lives, the temptation is to blame God for not stepping in and putting a stop to anything outside our sphere of influence which causes us pain, fear, depression, heartache, hopelessness, etc. On the surface, it sounds logical and reasonable. Why wouldn't God want us to be healthy, safe and prosperous? The truth is, God's desire IS for us to be happy. Better yet, His desire IS for us to be complete, content and at peace with the world around us. However, His desire is contingent upon us finding our happiness, contentment and peace IN HIM and not in anything this world has to offer. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'" (Psalm 91:1-2).

Keep in mind, this sermon on the mount teaching comes shortly after Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" (Matthew 6:9-13). One key takeaway of the Lord's Prayer is how we posture ourselves when we pray, which is paramount compared to what we are praying about. In other words, recognizing and acknowledging who God is presupposes our trust that He will hear our prayers and act accordingly, because only He has the supreme power, authority and ability to act if He so chooses. The proof lies in the emphasis Jesus makes: YOUR name, YOUR kingdom, YOUR will. Therefore, when we pray we need to lay down our pride and selfish desires at the foot of the cross because the only thing that matters is aligning our hearts with GOD in every way. Prioritization is a common pitfall for most of us though, because it starts with intentional effort. An easy way to discern how intentional we truly are in our spiritual discipline of prayer is to answer the following questions:

• Am I intentionally setting aside time to pray and keeping my appointment with God?
• Am I intentionally clearing my mind before I begin to pray?
• Am I intentionally beginning my prayer's focus with God first and foremost?

What does it mean though to begin with God first and foremost in our hearts and minds?

• Am I intentionally submitting to God's power and authority (Hallowed be Your name)?
• Am I intentionally aligning with God's mission and purpose (Your Kingdom come)?
• Am I intentionally obeying God's Word in order to apply its teachings unto righteousness (Your will be done)?

No doubt, the majority of us never take the time to posture and align ourselves before jumping into our laundry list of prayer requests because we are consumed by the immediate at the expense of the eternal. We simply cannot see the forest through the trees because we only see what is directly before us. We fail to recognize that God has a greater purpose for the temporary trials which frustrate, consume or inconvenience us. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). And if we do not remind ourselves who God is when we pray as Jesus taught, we will likely fester seeds of resentment in our hearts toward God that destroy us from within or fall away completely because of unmet expectations we place on God. The key is finding examples within Scripture that echo the format of the Lord's Prayer to paint a picture of what fruitful, quality time with God looks like, prioritizing our adoration of Him before personal supplication (prayer requests). Granted, that does not guarantee or assume any particular outcome, rather it focuses our attention squarely on strengthening our relational bond with God through the joys and trials we face regardless of circumstantial outcome.

Psalm 23 is a perfect example of how we can begin our prayers with adoration before supplication to ensure that when we ask in faith, we will receive. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1-4). Keep in mind, God does not need our adoration because heaven itself declares the glory of the Lord without ceasing. "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke" (Isaiah 6:1-4). In actuality, the practice of adoration is vital because it reminds us who we are compared to the all-powerful, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, Creator of the universe and Savior of mankind. Therefore (in our example), when we acknowledge God as our shepherd and affirm how He provides, restores and directs our paths unto righteousness, we are equipped with the tools we need to combat spiritual warfare and endure trials. Simply stated, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), and adoration is the method to achieve that mindset.

With this comprehension in mind, we can begin to understand that Jesus is planting a far deeper root within our hearts than prayer request protocol. The message Jesus desires for us to comprehend from Matthew 7:7-11 is that despite our finite capacity to understand God's sovereignty, our Father's love for us is unlimited and unconditional. Therefore, when our prayers are righteous or when our motivations are selfish, God filters out anything that would cause us eternal harm in order to sanctify us according to the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Of course, we may not comprehend that in the moment. We may in fact bristle and lash out in anger toward God for not meeting the desires of our hearts. Nevertheless, His love is firm and consistent, not contingent upon our obedience to His Word or lack thereof throughout every moment of our lives. Paul reminds us, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Therefore, we are wise to understand that whether God answers our prayers as we see fit or He ordains, the end result will always draw us closer to Him, whether we find ourselves downtrodden in the valley or resting joyously upon the mountaintop. The Lord declares, "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" (Genesis 28:15). May we rest peacefully knowing that our Father loves us enough to not only hear our prayers, but meet our needs according to His sovereign will and sanctifying purposes. And may we trust that even in moments of chaos and confusion, He never leaves or forsakes but draws us into His loving embrace where we can find eternal rest.

Matthew 7:6 (Devotion)

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."

There are times when we read God's Word and a verse stops us dead in our tracks, leaving us confused or bewildered as to what it means. Matthew 7:6 is a prime example. It is contained within the same subheading as "judging others" in Matthew 7:1-5, but is rarely quoted as such. Most people within the church are familiar with the notion of throwing pearls to pigs, but how well do we understand the true meaning and purpose Matthew 7:6 conveys in its entirety? Could it be we have fallen victim to brushing past, skipping over, or disregarding this verse altogether because it seems too metaphorical to comprehend? Keep in mind, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, we are without excuse if we do not give proper consideration to what the Bible says, even when it's difficult to comprehend the true meaning of a particular verse or passage. The key is determining the context to which a verse is spoken. When we consider that Matthew 7:6 immediately follows five verses admonishing the right and wrong ways to judge others, we begin to see that Jesus shifts His attention from judgment to discernment in this verse. In many ways, discernment is the thread woven throughout all six verses, for how can we know how to respond to others if we are not weighing every circumstance, motivation and intent? Therefore, we must be wise and heed the warning Jesus gives to avoid being misled by poor discernment. For we are warned, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24).

Undoubtedly, there are many in this world who not only mock, ridicule and scoff Christians, but use our doctrine as ammunition for their evil intent. They have no respect for God's omnipotence nor believe the Bible is absolute truth and inerrant, but will aim to discredit our faith by labeling us as hypocrites. That is why the majority of atheists are more than familiar with Matthew 7:1-5 and use, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1), in order to silence our convictions. Is it no wonder then that Jesus would metaphorically refer to those who maliciously reject God's sovereignty and the authority of His Word as "dogs?" Culturally speaking, dogs were scavengers that roamed the streets and countryside when Jesus preached His sermon. They were dirty and rabid, resembling behavior similar to a wolf rather than the cuddly pets of present-day, Western civilization. Moreover, dogs represented those who have no spiritual compass but merely react to the world around them by animal instinct rather than reason. Therefore, there was no confusion or offense taken when Jesus referred to those who would rather pollute the Gospel than receive it as dogs. No man would consider giving away what he holds most sacred to him, knowing it would be rejected as invaluable and destroyed without the slightest hesitation. That would be foolish, and Jesus knew His audience would comprehend this illustration and understand the greater theological point He was trying to make regarding discernment.

Jesus also knew his audience would not be confused discerning what was considered holy. Holiness was a familiar term regarding the goal of spirituality, yet many today would have difficulty painting a clear picture as to its attributes and meaning. Thankfully, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines holiness as "the state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of his essential attributes." Knowing this, we can begin to comprehend why Jesus instructed His followers not to give to dogs what is holy. Holiness is reserved for the righteous who discipline themselves for the sake of the Gospel and strive to live wisely. In contrast, Scripture reminds us, "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly" (Proverbs 26:11), because wisdom is gained when we learn from our mistakes and the spiritual ramifications and consequences associated. Dogs were not created to spiritually discern what is holy and what is not. They simply react to their environment through carnal instincts regardless of how gross or sacred the affection of their appetite may be. We are different though, and as such have the unique ability to discern and make educated decisions in life. And we are not bound by our flesh to obey its desires, "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do" (Galatians 5:17).

Moreover, we must discern when the Spirit is leading us to shift gears. Undoubtedly, as Christians we are called to fulfill the Great Commission and "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). However, we are also instructed by Jesus in Matthew 7:6 to not throw pearls to pigs. How then do we reconcile these two passages? The key is discernment. When Jesus sent out His disciples at the beginning of His ministry into the Jewish community to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, He said, "And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town" (Matthew 10:11-15). In other words, proclaim the Gospel without ceasing but invest your time and energy wisely, spreading seeds of righteousness upon fertile soil rather than rocky ground. In turn, does that mean we avoid any opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ? Absolutely not, but it does guide us in discerning where to focus our time and attention. Keep in mind, throwing pearls to pigs invites retribution for which we may not be prepared to endure. Therefore, we are wise to avoid those whose hearts are determined to cause division and administer persecution in order to minister to those whose hearts are open to receiving the truth of God's Word.

Jesus said, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it" ("Matthew 13:45-46). It is important we understand how Matthew 13:45-46 correlates to Matthew 7:6. When we consider the context Jesus conveys, we quickly realize why He admonishes us to never throw pearls to pigs. No man who values his salvation would ever trade his security and assurance for eternal separation from God. Therefore, we must guard our salvation by not allowing seeds of dissension to choke the joy out of our identity in Christ when we share the Gospel with others. Yes, some will receive our message but others will not, and Jesus warns us to wisely discern between those who would seek opportunity and forum to discredit our faith and attack our theology. Moreover, just as there is no reason to judge others outside the faith of Christ, there is no reason to invest all our time and effort attempting to convince those who vehemently reject truth spoken in love at the expense of those whose hearts are teachable. We must discern to whom we speak in order to preserve what is holy, that the pearls we share regarding the kingdom of heaven are given to hearts tender and broken enough to receive and appreciate their infinite value. "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Therefore, may we who have experienced the power of salvation share the Gospel message boldly and without fear, discerning the true character and intent of those who receive our message so that our time is utilized wisely in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Matthew 7:1-5 (Devotion)

JUDGING OTHERS - "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Self-defense is essential for those who feel their rights are being violated. When people threaten the personal doctrine we live by, we either react by retaliating in anger or respond in love according to what we believe is true. In most cases, our reactions manifest themselves in one central theme: "DON'T JUDGE ME!" That phrase has been used throughout the generations, especially for those who do not believe God's Word is inerrant and true. It carries with it the sentiment, "Who are YOU to judge me?" Therefore, "DON'T JUDGE ME!" has become the battle cry against accountability, used to silence those who oppose and/or deflect attention onto the accuser's intent rather than the recipient. But what does, "DON'T JUDGE ME!" truly mean?  If we delve beneath surface layers, we begin to discover that being held accountable for our thoughts and actions is uncomfortable to most people. It requires us to not only be transparent with who we are, but vulnerable enough to willingly be held accountable. Vulnerability is risky though, because we cannot know for certain how others will react or respond when our intimate thoughts and opinions are revealed. For example, a man may be comfortable enough to talk in general about his opinions regarding money, but if pressed, would he be comfortable enough to provide his banking and credit card statements, and share every detail of his financial portfolio in the spirit of accountability? Would he be afraid of how others might react if they knew how much he made, what he spent his money on, or how he managed his finances? Keep in mind, "DON'T JUDGE ME!" could easily manifest itself as a defense mechanism against unrighteous jealousy of others or a counterattack for violating a man's privacy, or it could be used to deflect attention from unwise personal decisions. In any case, the message is clear to those who cast judgment: "BACK OFF!"

What makes Jesus' teaching on judging others so compelling is that He does NOT rebuke or condemn judging. Many people mistake, "Judge not, that you be not judged," as Jesus admonishing His followers to never make a judgment call on the behavior of those around them, but to accept and endorse everyone they meet, every choice they make, and every opinion they utter. That is partially true. Jesus does affirm us to love and respect our neighbor, but the attitude and motivation we convey cannot be the same for those who profess themselves as Christians and those who do not. In other words, accountability works most effectively if we share the same doctrine of truth and obey its teachings. Case in point: Those who reject Christ as Savior will typically feel judged by Christians when their thoughts and behavior contradict Scriptural teaching. Reason being, "The LORD has not given you (them) a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear" (Deuteronomy 29:4) what we trust is absolute truth to live by, so of course non-Christians will label us as judgmental when we attempt to hold them accountable to Biblical standards. Does that mean we should never share the truth of Scripture with those who reject its authority? Absolutely not, but our focus needs to shift from wrath and judgment of sin to grace and mercy, allowing the Lord to pursue His children without us quenching or stifling His ultimate will of salvation. Scripture teaches, "Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:7-10). Therefore, it is wise for us to discern who we are rebuking in the moment to ensure our intent is not lost in translation with those who do not share the same theological doctrine or ideology as we do.

It goes without saying that those outside the Christian faith (i.e. those who either do not identify themselves as born-again believers, or those who profess themselves as Christians but do not fully submit to the authority of God's Word in their lives) use, "DON'T JUDGE ME!" as ammunition against Bible-believing Christians. Therefore, how should we as the church respond to such accusations? In some cases, we indeed may be legitimately and sinfully judging others, to which we should repent and seek forgiveness. However, when we are innocent of the crime accused, what is our response? The most important thing to remember is not to be offended and react in anger. Jesus said, "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me" (Luke 10:16), so we are wise to remember WHO is truly being rejected when truth in love is spoken. That helps us resist taking persecution personally by diffusing the temptation to lash out in retribution, because the offense is ultimately directed at God, not us. In addition, we must acknowledge we will never see eye to eye on the topic of absolute truth until the validity and authority of the Bible is resolved. As Christians, we believe the Bible is the ultimate standard of right and wrong, which dictates how we are called to live. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12-13). Therefore, those who reject the Bible as their ultimate authority will struggle to accept why our ideology differs and why we are unrelenting in our position, especially on hot-button cultural issues (i.e. LGTBQ rights, gay marriage, transgender bathroom laws, abortion, etc.) Perspective is key though, and God's Word reminds us to focus our attention on holding our brethren of faith accountable rather than those outside the church who reject our doctrine altogether. "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside" (1 Corinthians 5:12-13a).

Knowing who we are advised to judge forces us to consider what we are judging, how we are communicating our examination, and for what purpose? In ALL cases, we must ensure that love is our supreme motivation when judgment is called into action. Paul reminds us, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load" (Galatians 6:1-5). No man who sees his brother in Christ living in sin should feel content to remain silent so as not to be perceived as "judging." Jesus did not shy away from rebuking the sinful thoughts and behavior of His disciples, but admonished them in a spirit of gentleness because He loved them as a trusted brother. "A new commandment I (Jesus) give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Therefore, how can we say we love one another and not be willing to bear one another's burdens? However, we must be wise to ensure we are not led astray under the disguise of accountability either. For example, any recovering addict who has remained sober for any length of time can attest that immersing himself in a tempestuous environment in order to help a friend can result in an unexpected relapse of his own. Consequently, we can never assume that under the right circumstances, at the right time, and in the right environment, we will not be persuaded to sin and enticed to obey our fleshly desires like anyone else. 

Just as important as our purpose are the words we use to communicate accountability. No man, woman or child will receive righteous judgment if it is packaged and delivered as vulgar, demeaning or manipulative (to name a few). In other words, we must guard against leaving the recipient angry, jaded and seeking retribution when we proclaim judgment, for "why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:10). Conversely, we must not plant seeds of hopelessness that those whom we judge can indeed change. For example, we as parents must resist the urge to judge our children's actions so severely that we crush their spirits when we correct their behavior and discipline them accordingly. Similarly, we must avoid judging current sins by filtering them through past failures. Like a scarlet letter, many of us bear the wrath of poor decisions once made and reap the consequences of our actions regardless of whether they are warranted. Therefore, why would we cast judgment on others based on the knowledge of who they once were? If they have truly changed but still struggle with temptation (like we all do), why are we so eager to forget we once forgave them? Why hold them bound and captive to our preconceived judgments? Perhaps it is because we regard ourselves more highly than we ought or have forgotten what it was like to live unashamed in sin when we rejected God. In any case, Scripture reminds us, "Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9b-11).

Jesus said, "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). This truth magnifies the fact that judgment flows inward first and then outward in accountability. We cannot in any way, shape or form judge others on any issue without willingly applying the same standard of righteousness to our own hearts. That is why Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 7:1-5 the importance of self-examination before judging others for their thoughts and actions. It is hypocritical to live under the premise, "Do as I say, not as I do." But more often than not, we pick apart what we see in others without taking into consideration whether we are scrutinizing ourselves according to the same standard. Scripture promises, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, we ought to be far more concerned about the log in our own eye as opposed to the speck in our brothers and sisters of faith, because our spiritual maturity is measured by how we apply God's Word in our own lives first and foremost. That does not mean we ignore, rationalize or justify the speck in others, but we hold one another accountable based on personal experience and empathy rather than pride, remembering what it once felt like (and to this day still feels like) to struggle with sin. In other words, we filter our judgment of others through a recognition of brokenness in our hearts over sins we have committed, in order to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ through love and humility. It is a perspective shift where judgment is no longer a cross to bear but an opportunity for sanctification, because "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). Moreover, it provides credibility when we step out in faith and judge others that our counsel/accountability will be welcomed and received because it is genuine and trustworthy.

The simple truth is this: "The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:35-37). "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds" (Jeremiah 17:10). Knowing our place in the grand scheme of eternity is critical to remember when the urge to judge others wells up within us. We are not our brother's ultimate judge, jury or executioner, for only God has the authority and power to condemn and sentence mankind. However, we are our brother's keeper in the sense that we are called to speak truth in love from humble and pure hearts, motivated by compassion and empathy in order to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Judgment is only evil when it is void of love and filled with vengeance and retribution. Therefore, when the Spirit urges us to speak we must obey, because "better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:5-6). Accountability is never easy because people are incredibly passionate about not being judged. But the more we embrace judgment as love personified, we will be more willing to be held accountable by others and more compassionate in how we communicate truth in love to those who need gentle reproof and wise counsel. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Matthew 6:25-34 (Devotion)

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS - "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), over 40 million adults in the U.S. (ages 18 years or older) suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Whether general anxiety, panic, social anxiety, specific phobias, obsessive compulsion, post-traumatic stress or depression, the fact remains that over 18% of the American population have fallen victim to varying degrees of mental illnesses or disorders that coexist with anxiety (bipolar disorder, eating disorders, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, substance abuse, sleep disorders, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, etc.) It is an overwhelming reality. Even more alarming is researchers estimate that realistically, 30% (not 18%) of people struggle with anxiety, because millions of Americans fail to either recognize their problem or seek professional help to combat the anxiety they are facing. Therefore, we can be confident that 1 out of every 3-5 people we encounter on a daily basis struggles with what the ADAA identifies as "mental illness." The sad truth is many believe there is no hope for gaining victory over anxiety outside of medicating the problem. Seeking Biblical truth and understanding around the issue of anxiety seems like a mockery of clinical science and the medical community at large, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible does not dismiss the need for medical expertise when neurological deficiencies warrant professional, medical treatment, but the over-arching healing our souls crave far exceeds what man can solve via modern medicine. For while science can seek to solve temporary quality of life issues, only Jesus Christ offers eternal healing which is far more valuable and surpasses human understanding.

Keep in mind, the ultimate reward for a born-again Christian is freedom from pain altogether when we pass from this world into the afterlife. For the Bible promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Death is not an end in itself, but the beginning for those who place their hope and trust in the saving work of Christ. However, for those who reject the authority of God's Word and the atoning sacrifice Jesus paid for the sins of mankind, the ultimate reward of salvation is forfeited for an eternity of torment and anguish. Pain is magnified apart from Christ, so choosing to depart this world overwhelmed by pride and hardheartedness toward God will only leave a man empty, alone and without hope. Knowing this, we can consider the words of Matthew 6:25-34 with eternal perspective grounded in truth rather than speculation or assumption. Jesus taught His disciples, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). Therefore, if we place our hope in the words of Scripture, we relinquish doubt, worry and anxiety because we trust what the Bible says is true without reservation. Our fears can only enslave us to the extent we allow. So if we are worried about our eternal resting place, we can choose either to adopt secular theology which contradicts Scripture, or trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ found only in the pages of Scripture.

At a granular level, Jesus outlines various forms of anxiety associated with survival necessities in Matthew 6:25-34. Notice that the primary focus of His teaching centers around needs, not wants. Food, water, shelter and clothing are all essential for survival because they meet basic safety and dietary needs. In no way can a man choose to abstain from any of these and expect to live any prolonged period of time. Reason being, how we were created by God mandates we are dependent on food, water, shelter and clothing for survival. Therefore, when Jesus reminds us not to worry about these things, He is highlighting the fact that God took into account what we would need before He created us, and made provision within creation itself to meet our basic needs. Therefore, what Jesus presents in this teaching is not so much a laundry list of things we shouldn't be stressed or anxious about, but an examination of our theology at a much deeper level. In essence, Jesus is asking us, "Do you trust me?" with varying emphases postured to gauge our spiritual temperature at the heart level:

• Do you trust ME? (Is Christ the ultimate source of my trust in all things?)
• Do you TRUST me? (How confidently do I believe His Word?)
• Do YOU trust me? (Do I recognize my need to trust in His sovereignty?)
• DO you trust me? (When all is said and done, Yes or No?)

It is no more difficult for us to wrestle with trust than it was for the nation Israel when God led them through the wilderness for 40 years prior to entering the promised land. "And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him" (Deuteronomy 8:2-6). Undoubtedly, there was an incredible amount of anxiety associated with wandering aimlessly in the desert for forty years. Food and water were scarce and hunger and thirst unquenchable, but the Lord provided time and time again through countless miracles to ensure His people would not die of starvation or dehydration. How then should we respond knowing we are descendants of Adam, plagued by sin and vulnerable to anxiety just as the nation Israel was? Are we prone to repeat the same mistakes Israel made by grumbling 40 years through the wilderness, or do we trust in God's provision because His Word is true from the beginning of time? 

We must examine our hearts and weed out the peripheral issues that plague our minds and give birth to anxiety. In other words, control what is within our sphere of influence and trust the rest to God. Let's be honest. What typically causes us the greatest amount of anxiety in our lives is not being in full control. We feel safer and more at ease when we can control the environment or people around us, yet rarely do we experience the peace and tranquility we seek even when we have complete power and authority. Perhaps it seems trivial to simply "let go and let God," but there is Biblical truth to stepping back and assuming our place in the hierarchy of life. Far too often, we step into God's sovereign role when we feel He is distant or not working in the time or manner we feel He should. Anxiety overwhelms us and we "take the bull by the horns" and strong-arm our will rather than trusting that God will act in His way and in His time for His glory. We would be wise to apply the words of King David who declared, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope" (Psalm 130:5). However, simply waiting for the Lord is meaningless if we are consumed by our happiness, our desires, and our glory at the expense of God's grace. For Christ did not shed His blood on the cross and die a sinner's death on our behalf so we could live self-consumed, idolatrous lives. Jesus died to break the stronghold sin had over us, so that we could live free from the bondage of fear, doubt, worry, stress, anxiety, depression, etc., which bind us.

Bottom-line, there is plenty in life to be stressed about. Moreover, we may never find complete peace this side of heaven or attain the goals we set forth in our lives, but we cannot be content to throw in the towel and allow the enemy free reign in our minds to plant seeds of anxiety which incapacitate us. Life circumstances have a way of thrusting us into uncomfortable situations and consequences of sin we never dreamed we'd encounter, but that does not require us to default into a state of mental disorder as a means of escape or justification of sin thereof. Professional intervention aside, the majority of anxiety problems we face can be remedied by applying the wisdom Jesus professes in Matthew 6:25-34, rather than self-medicating to numb the pain and/or avoid whatever the issue at hand may be. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:34-36). The ability to "choose" is arguably the most compelling freedom God ever gave man. For with it, man can charter his own course through life for his own personal glory and fulfillment, or he can choose to submit to God's will in place of his own. But in the end, each man must give an account to God almighty, and the choices he has made throughout his life will either testify to the saving work of Jesus Christ in his heart or condemn him for eternity. Therefore, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).

NOTE: For further worship and reflection, check out this incredible new song release from Elevation Worship, "THERE IS A CLOUD".

Matthew 6:24 (Devotion)

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

There are two types of slavery prevalent in the world today: Slavery that is forced and slavery that is chosen. Forced slavery or "modern-day" slavery is commonly recognized in our culture as human trafficking, but it encompasses much more. Modern-day slavery can be found in forced labor, bonded labor, child labor, domestic servitude, forced marriage or sex trafficking, and affects an estimated 21 million people worldwide according to researchers. To ignore this epidemic is simply foolish and irresponsible, as people are enslaved against their will and subjected to atrocities we cannot begin to fathom. However, as we consider Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:24, we must understand that forced labor is not the context of this particular message. As always, Jesus addresses the heart of man and focuses His attention on the epidemic of voluntary slavery that is chosen, not forced. James reminds us, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:14-15). This truth is imperative to remember because the root of our enslavement begins with fleshly desires. We convince ourselves that ______ will satisfy our desires and strive to appease our insatiable hunger for personal fulfillment in a myriad of ways, because that is the essence of "the grass is always greener on the other side" ideology, and we fall victim to its lies more often than we care to admit.

James goes on to ask, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (James 4:1-3). As Christians, we cannot continue to ignore the fact that we are our own worst enemy in the fight against temptation. What we struggle with most is our discontentment with the Lord's provision, which manifests itself in our inability to find peace and/or joy in all things. Therefore, we must remind ourselves, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire" (2 Peter 1:3-4). God has granted us everything we need to be content. Many people like to interchange happiness or prosperity with contentment, but the Lord guarantees no such thing in His Word for life lived here on earth. Pastors who teach prosperity doctrine (and ironically are some of the most popular pastors of the biggest churches in the world today) do as much a disservice to the church of Jesus Christ as atheists who vehemently oppose Biblical doctrine altogether, and that is why we must be on guard to recognize their heresy like a wolf in sheep's clothing, or suffer the consequences of buying into their "health and wealth" or "name it and claim it" ideology. 

God's Word warns, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). When we consider how easily we are led astray by our own desires and cravings, it easy to understand why Jesus admonishes our servitude. We are simply too easily swayed by the lure of post-modernistic thinking in our world today. Similar to modernism which seeks truth through man's reason as opposed to the Bible, post-modernism seeks to redefine truth altogether—truth is not absolute but relative, and man is encouraged to invent whatever truth appeases his desire and inclinations. Post-modernism can be found in practically any form or facet in our culture. Look no further than how sexually-driven American culture has increasingly become over the last 60 years, and how lust, promiscuity and various forms of sexual perversion have infiltrated our homes, schools, communities, work-places and entertainment. No longer are we resistant to perversion, for the political arena of activists lobbying for sexuality equality and legal protection is tearing down the walls of Christianity and tempting Christians to justify and endorse such acts as acceptable in the eyes of God (shockingly, with great success!) Therefore, when Jesus affirms that a choice must be made as to whom we pledge our heart's allegiance, we cannot ignore our responsibility to choose whom we will serve and live out our decision accordingly. "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’" (Matthew 7:21-23).

The notion that Matthew 6:24 is simply a teaching on money which needs to be hammered into the minds of every Bible-believing Christian is simply irresponsible and misleading as well. Does Jesus use money as an illustration to prove a point? Yes. Is money a potential idol that can feed fleshly desires? Absolutely. However, money is not inherently evil in and of itself. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs" (1 Timothy 6:10). Paul admonishes that it doesn't even matter whether we have money or not. Simply desiring it in our hearts for the false security it provides is enough to sway our devotion away from God because of idolatry. However, does that truth even strike a cord within us? Keep in mind, our culture has turned the word "idol" into a positive connotation. Look at the athletes and entertainers our children and youth idolize, and how accepting we are endorsing their "idolizing" under the justification that those who are most successful in this world are the ideal role models for our children. Have we truly lost our spiritual compass? What messages are we providing free and uninterrupted access to infiltrate our homes through music, television, smartphones, Internet, social media, etc.? Perhaps more convicting, what role have we personally played in modeling that behavior for our children? Keep in mind, none of us are perfect, but we must start owning up to the garbage we are feasting on for ourselves and feeding to the next generation, if we expect change to occur in the world around us.

In the end, it is a love or hate decision, not a love/hate dilemma. Far too often, we refer to our sin in the context of love/hate. In other words, we love the momentary satisfaction we receive from the object of our desires, but we do not hate it enough to put an end to it. So if a man struggles with lust, greed, power or position, and does not put discipline and boundaries in place to prevent and prohibit him from returning to his sinful desire, he will return to his object of servitude and tighten the shackles of slavery he bound himself to in the first place. Where we must connect the dots is looking back to the beginning of Jesus' sermon on the mount when He said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). While commonly used as a word of encouragement to those who mourn the loss of a loved one, the true context of Matthew 5:4 is to exhort those who grieve over their sin. Therefore, when we love or hate our sin as opposed to love/hate, we draw a clear line of distinction that is intentional and discerning. And because we know our tendencies, we are able to practically institute methods of spiritual amputation which put a stop to the entry points temptation exploits when we're vulnerable. For we must not just turn away from sin waiting for the storm to pass, but shift our attention off selfish desire and onto Christ, because He alone can provide the peace and joy we seek at the core of our being. "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:12-14).

Matthew 6:22-23 (Devotion)

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

In a culture fueled by visual stimulation through countless media outlets and forums, Matthew 6:22-23 is indeed an enormous pill to swallow. It is a tremendous platform to identify how the church of Jesus Christ is suffering mightily at gaining self-control over lust of the eyes. Countless men and women struggle to find contentment in their marriage, employment, home, family, personal appearance, net worth, purpose in life, physical health, spiritual well-being, etc., and the eyes play a significant role in this battle. "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2:16). Far too often, we fail to realize how the majority of temptations we face first begin through our eyes. Look no further than our children as proof that what a child first sees is then repeated and emulated. In theory, if the behavior they see is healthy, we need to reinforce it with affirmation and encourage repetition. However, if we feel the behavior is inappropriate, we must admonish and correct it before it becomes habitual. That is why Scripture affirms, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6), yet many of us can look back upon the history of our lives and see where proper training fell short or was simply non-existent. Seeds of deception and false security took root at an early age, and we have since struggled mightily to gain some semblance of self-control through the years.

Considering the most popular personal temptations we face, how often do we turn away from that which we know leads only to sin? First, we must recognize our weaknesses. If we cannot pinpoint who or what our temptation is, when and where it occurs, how it manifests itself, and why we fall victim to failure, we will never gain self-control over our sin. Second, we must recognize the source of temptation in our lives. Often times, we look outside ourselves with the intent to point our fingers at something or someone external who is the cause of our shortcomings. To admit we are our own worst enemy forces us to acknowledge we are not perfect, but sons and daughters of Adam born into sin. That is why Scripture declares, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:13-15). Admission is always the first step we must take if we desire healing and restoration from the bondage of sin in our lives, because it recognizes who the source of failure is. However, admission is only effective when we desire heart change and freedom. Similar to the faith/works metaphor, we cannot be content to admit we are sinners with no intent to change our behavior. For if we confess our sin but immediately return to it, are we not fooling ourselves by thinking we are changed simply because we admitted we have a problem?

Confession is a critical factor in the process of change and restoration. Once we admit we have a problem, we can take the next step by confessing our sin to God and those we have directly sinned against. But is that truly enough? For instance, if a man admits he is an adulterer and confesses his sin to God and his wife, does that mean he is changed? It depends completely on what happens next. If he continues to cheat on his wife, then we must recognize that true heart change never occurred to begin with—he simply went through the motions to appease his judge and jury to either minimize or completely escape the consequence of his actions. Keep in mind that confession is only one step in the process of repentance and not an all-encompassing end in and of itself. The proof is in the fruit. "Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water" (James 3:12). In other words, whichever seed is planted in our hearts—sin or righteousness—will take root, grow, and bear a specific and identifiable fruit. We can attempt to manipulate the external appearance of the fruit to deceive others, but our hypocrisy will be revealed the moment our core is exposed. For example, if true heart change was identified only as an apple but the fruit we produced was an orange, there would be undeniable proof that change did not occur. The proof is found at the heart level, for Scripture declares, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds'" (Jeremiah 17:7-10).

The beauty of Jesus identifying the eye as the lamp of the body is to emphasize that choices can be made. We have free will to choose what we allow our eyes and hearts to dwell upon. That does not ignore we have a sin nature planted in us at birth, but it does allow us to gain victory over sin before temptation takes root and fills us with darkness. Jesus earlier proclaimed in His sermon on the mount, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell" (Matthew 5:29-30). Therefore, if our eye, our hand, or whatever else causes us sin, we must be ready and willing to amputate in order to save ourselves from destruction altogether. The challenge comes in justifying healthy portions of our behavior to offset unhealthy ones. A man who struggles with attaining success and status at his place of employment can justify his workaholic behavior because he has to provide for his family; or a youth who struggles with addiction to pornography can justify keeping his computer because he needs it for school; or a woman who struggles with gossip can justify her behavior because she is the prayer coordinator at church. Jesus said, "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!" (Matthew 18:7). Therefore, it is imperative we take ownership over the condition of our heart's darkness and allow the light of the Spirit to illuminate our way of escape unto righteousness, as opposed to allowing darkness to shine forth from our hearts to corrupt and pollute others.

What we must embrace is honesty, for a man or woman who is not willing to be brutally honest will continue to live in deception. If we struggle identifying our heart's condition, perhaps we should consider the following scenarios in order to understand and gauge how easily our eyes are compromised when we allow opportunities for darkness to take root.

• A man watches a football or basketball game and the camera zooms in on the cheerleaders or dance team for 10-15 seconds.
• A woman goes out to dinner with her quiet and disengaged husband and is easily distracted by the sight of other couples engaging in conversation.
• A youth attends a party and witnesses his friends drinking alcohol and encouraging him to indulge despite being underage.
• A couple sits down and watches a movie laced with perverse language, nudity, sex, violence, etc.
• A woman flips through a beauty or clothing magazine and compares herself to models who portray a certain image she desires.
• A man disengages at the end of a long day to play video games rather than spend quality time with his family. 

In each scenario, we see how temptation is woven into the reality of life where choices we make can easily lead to darker paths. They key is paying particular attention to what we expose our eyes to and how we avoid tempestuous situations altogether, or respond unto righteousness when avoiding the situation is not an option. For just as Job said, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high?" (Job 31:1-2), we must also decide to hold firm to our confession of faith and application of God's Word regardless of circumstance. Job could easily have thrown in the towel when all he treasured in this world was stripped from him, but he chose to obey the Lord and decide not to allow eternal influences (calamity, irrational feelings or poor counsel) to sway his judgment. Giving account to the Lord on judgment day was more important than momentary satisfaction by giving in to fleshly desires to escape or blame-shift. What we must learn from Job's example is that stress, anxiety, fatigue, disappointment, frustration, etc., all have the power to alter our vision when temptation is given more consideration and dishonorable habits and vices provide a momentary escape from reality in an attempt to ease or dull the pain. For being "comfortable" or "happy" is not our purpose in life—being content in the Lord's will and provision for our lives is! Therefore, we must maintain proper perspective and understand that if we allow our eyes to become lazy and unguarded, our body will be corrupted and darkness will have free reign to compromise all that Jesus shed His blood to destroy. "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Matthew 6:19-21 (Devotion)

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The greatest treasures we can ever find are those which have infinite and unequivocal value. The Bible speaks of many, highlighting their importance in the life of a Christ-follower. Treasures such as faith, hope and love echo sentiments Paul shares in his letter to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 13:13). Integrity, character and sound speech are highly encouraged in Paul's letter to Titus (Titus 2:7). Moreover, Paul esteems the fruit of the spirit to the Galatians, which holds immense value in the church of Jesus Christ to this day. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). In many cases, treasures abound to those who seek them with determined focus and unwavering humility, but pride can easily interfere and distract our attention if we allow ourselves to become frustrated or impatient. Therefore, it is imperative we distinguish which treasures we should focus our attention upon and why the heart is the most critical factor in determining our future. Jesus clearly taught, "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander" (Matthew 15:17-19). As a result, we must be ever mindful to not only guard our tongues, but focus our attention on the root issue which feeds our fleshly behavior.

If there was ever a summary verse that depicts the battle between good and evil, heaven and the world, it would be Matthew 6:19-21. The reference to "treasures on earth" speaks to the intoxication of worldly pleasures, while "treasures in heaven" points to spiritual blessings which have infinite, eternal value. How then are we to reconcile when worldly treasures such as money aid the pursuit of Christianity in the world? There are countless churches and ministries who depend upon the financial support of faithful stewards, but are more dependent on the condition of man's heart far more than we realize. The key to understanding this distinction lies not in the treasures themselves, but in man's attitude at the heart level. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains it this way: "Our Lord is concerned here not so much about our possessions as with our attitude towards our possessions. It is not what a man may have, but what he thinks of his wealth, what his attitude is towards it. There is nothing wrong in having wealth in and of itself; what can be very wrong is a man's relationship to his wealth. And the same thing is equally true about everything that money can buy." Similarly, Jesus taught, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" (Mark 7:15). In other words, if we are serious about gaining control of our lives and living for Christ the way we should, we cannot blame the things of this world for our problems. Yes, circumstances (both fairly and unfairly) create cause-and-effect scenarios every day of our lives, but they do not define us. How we react or respond to a given situation is an opportunity to gauge our spiritual temperature and determine what adjustments we need to make.

Love of money is not our only earthly treasure to guard against. Love of status, position, praise, honor, etc., all have the ability to sway our allegiance away from God and onto temporary satisfactions. It is imperative we highlight the distinction between temporary and permanent. Treasures that are temporary are subject to deterioration and destruction, just as Jesus highlights in His examples of moths and rust. Eventually, they will expire in one form or fashion. What we must realize is that permanent treasures differ from permanence altogether. For example, a man who lives for himself, abuses and takes advantage of others, and sows seeds of dissension, animosity and hatred will certainly receive a permanent "reward" (i.e. judgment) for his actions. That is not to be misconstrued as treasure though. Permanent treasures exist to glorify God, not self, and build upon the foundation of salvation Jesus paid for by His blood. Therefore, when we invest our time by volunteering to serve at a shelter or visit widows and elderly, we lay up treasures in heaven. When we mentor youth in our communities through educational programs or participate in foster care or adoption, we lay up treasures in heaven. When we love our spouses by providing honesty, trust, stability, spiritual leadership and wise stewardship, we lay up treasures in heaven. When we teach and admonish our children with Godly discipline and discernment, and sacrifice personal hobbies in lieu of quality time with them, we lay up treasures in heaven. Bottom-line, when we utilize the gifts, talents and resources God has blessed us with to impact the world in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay up treasures in heaven. 

The idea of deterioration due to moth or rust is not the only reality we must guard against. Jesus warns us to lay up treasures in heaven where thieves are unable to steal. It is fairly easy to think of instances where physical possessions fall victim to theft or destruction, but what of our emotional, relational or even spiritual well being? Are we naive to believe theft only comes in physical form? Regarding spiritual warfare we face daily, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). In actuality, Satan cares nothing for the treasures of this world. His focus is utilizing worldly pleasures to enslave us according to our fleshly passions and quiet the Spirit's conviction. That is why a young woman who sacrifices her virginity under the false security of a man's love is crushed when he ends the relationship; or a man who lives for his job is lost when a promotion passes him by or downsizing results in unexpected unemployment; or a youth seeking acceptance is willing to cast aside his/her morals and values in order to fit in culturally. Once Satan establishes a stronghold within our hearts, it is impossible for us break free apart from the Holy Spirit's power. That is why God's Word reminds us, "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). The minute we realize who our enemy truly is, we can begin to guard our hearts from theft and destruction and lay up treasures in heaven.

Scripture compels us with this absolute promise: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). Knowing this is true, how can we who identify ourselves as Christians allow anyone or any circumstance to steal our joy? We have assurance that "the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Therefore, if we sow seeds of righteousness and in turn, lay up treasures in heaven, our hearts will not be so easily overcome by the enemy. Our countenance and character will not be compromised nor our faith, trust and hope in the God of our salvation be broken. For opportunities abound to lay up treasures on earth despite the Spirit's conviction, because the pull of temptation is overwhelming at times. When we are worn down by stress and fatigue, falling back on our vices (immoral/wicked behavior) is appealing, comfortable, and momentarily satisfying, even when we know it's wrong! But as quickly as the climactic "rush" wears off, the realization we have sinned and essentially placed our bets on the things of this world comes flooding in like a tidal wave of conviction. In those moments, we must remember who we are IN CHRIST. The Bible affirms, "You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men" (1 Corinthians 7:23). Therefore, we cannot allow ourselves to adopt false ideology which assumes God is okay with us choosing enslavement to sin over the freedom He freely offers by grace through faith. "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:24), and we are required to choose whether we will serve Him by laying up treasures in heaven, or serve our flesh by laying up treasures on earth. 

Luke 1:46-55 (CHRISTMAS Devotion)

MARY'S SONG OF PRAISE: THE MAGNIFICAT - "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.'"

The Christmas story is full of intrigue, excitement and anticipation. When we think of Christmas, various images come to mind of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; angels, shepherds and wise men; and a stable manger, because there was no room at the inn. However, tucked within the pageantry on display and imagery we envision are raw emotions the characters must have been feeling in the moment. The story begins as such: "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be" (Luke 1:26-29). The beauty of the Gospel is that it aligns not only with our psyche, but our emotions. We can relate to the shock and amazement Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel stood before her and foretold she would give birth to God's own Son. Similarly, our logical minds likely would have been troubled just as she was, because embracing the impossible forces us to reconcile who we know God to be. In particular, our skepticism would undermine the message being given and cause us to wonder whether we were dreaming or experiencing a delusional moment. "And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?'" (Luke 1:34). Yet despite all the reasons why Mary could have doubted, the angel further intrigued Mary by announcing that her elderly, barren relative named Elizabeth would also conceive a son. Not only was the Lord poised to perform one miracle but two, for Gabriel affirmed to Mary, "Nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). 

It is easy to read the Christmas story and determine that if we had been chosen in Mary's place, our response would have been no different than hers—but would it really? "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her" (Luke 1:38). Keep in mind, hindsight is 20/20. We have the benefit of being bystanders to this narrative and knowing how it all plays out. Mary did not. She had to make a choice BY FAITH that the words promised to her were true. She didn't have time to think on it or ask Gabriel a laundry list of questions before making a decision. She simply trusted and obeyed. In retrospect, we know she was chosen primarily because of her faith and obedience to the law. "And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God'" (Luke 1:30). The character and countenance Mary possessed, in addition to the fact she was a virgin, all contributed to her selection by God for this monumental task, but it was her devotion to obeying God's Word in her personal walk of faith that presupposed her acceptance of God's will for her life. No doubt Mary conducted herself accordingly to the wisdom of Scripture which declares, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Proverbs 31:30), but we cannot forget she was a sinner as well, of the lineage of Adam. As a devout Jew, obedience to the law was absolute and non-negotiable, so we are not surprised that her religious devotion had sufficient merit in the eyes of God. However, as we consider ourselves compared to Mary's example, would we be as easy a selection if God presented the same miraculous opportunity to us?

Keep in mind, Mary had to weigh the consequences of this decision as well. As a young woman betrothed to be married, she understood the ramifications of her decision. Contrary to present-day, American culture, showing up on the doorstep of your fiance's home whom you hadn't seen in six months—supposedly a virgin, but now PREGNANT—was an opportunity for any myriad of potential outcomes. Public shame and humiliation, being disowned, or even death were all potential consequences of action for the revelation of her pregnancy out of wedlock. Mary knew there would be no denying or hiding her pregnancy, yet to the dismay of her faith community it did not deter her resolve. She trusted what the angel Gabriel proclaimed—that she would not simply be pregnant, but would give birth to God's Son and name Him, Jesus. Nine months of sacrifice would culminate in the birth of a miraculous baby, the Savior of the world. Therefore, she had all the assurance she needed that despite the mockery, ridicule, persecution and chastisement she would receive, God's will would be done regardless of the consequences which inevitably surrounded her. It is as if the words of King David echoed in her heart: "Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD" (Psalm 27:3-6). No matter what mankind could do to her as a result of her premarital pregnancy, Mary trusted the Lord would guide and protect her, just as He did for David on countless occasions.

The raw emotion Mary experienced as a result of her encounter with Gabriel is captured by Luke in what is referred to as the "Magnificat," our highlighted Scripture passage. While typically glossed over within the Christmas pageantry, it encapsulates Mary's joy, praise and adoration for who God is and what He has done for His people. In many ways the Magnificat echoes that of "Hannah's Song" (1 Samuel 2:1-10), when the Lord had mercy on Hannah's barrenness and opened her womb, enabling her to give birth to a son (the prophet Samuel) whom she promised to dedicate to the Lord for ministry service. For our personal reflection, Mary's song of praise is a tremendous example of humility and reverence to God. In no way does Mary deify herself in this psalm. Rather, she conveys a sense of innocence that the words Elizabeth proclaimed to her would be true. "And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'" (Luke 1:41-42). Undoubtedly, Mary's example of piety is worthy of respect and admiration throughout all generations, but it should not be misconstrued as an opportunity for us to deify her. For as John MacArthur once wrote, "Those who channel their religious energies into the veneration of Mary would do well to learn from the example of Mary herself. God is the only One she magnified." Mary's entire focus within her song of praise was to glorify God for using her as an instrument of His love, because through her the Savior of the world was born. Her recognition of her lowliness and unworthiness as a sinner compared to the splendor of God's majesty is perhaps the greatest takeaway we can glean from the Magnificat and apply similarly in our prayer life, just as Mary emulated from Hannah's example.

As we conclude, an interesting question to wrestle with is how we would remember Mary if her identity had been different. In other words, would we have the same reverent sentiment toward her as the mother of Jesus Christ if for instance she had been a prostitute prior to Gabriel's visitation? Hypothetically, it forces us to reconcile whether we justify one sin over another. Keep in mind, the Lord used Rahab (the prostitute) for His glory when she protected the Israelite spies who escaped Jericho under her protection. "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies" (Hebrews 11:31). Why then could the Lord not have chosen Mary if her background were different? Granted, the miracle of a virgin birth would not be as compelling, but God could have re-written the story if He wanted to in another miraculous way. What we must distinguish is that Mary's virgin identity of sexual purity does not mean she was perfect and lived a sinless life. Only God is perfect and worthy to be praised! In many ways, the veneration of Mary over the past 2,000 years has evolved into a forgetfulness or disregard that she was indeed a sinner, just like Rahab or anyone of us. Let us be clear: The "humble estate" Mary refers to in her Magnificat is her own recognition that God did not have to choose her. She understood her need for a Savior just as we should. There was nothing in and of herself that deserved to be chosen for the task, for she was merely a young girl of lowly social status. Rather, it was her humility and faith which allowed her to accept the specific role He desired for her life, and consequently allows us to share in the celebration of God's redemptive plan of salvation of which she played an important role.

Therefore, as we celebrate the choice Mary made to accept God's will for her life, let us not lose focus that God similarly has a unique will for us as well. Granted, what God desires for us to accomplish may not be as grandiose as Mary's, but undeniably we will be blessed for our obedience just as she was if we submit our personal will for the Lord's service. God always uses imperfect people to accomplish His will. Look no further than King David's murder of Uriah, Paul's approval in the stoning of Stephen, or Peter's threefold denial of Jesus before His crucifixion as prime examples. What we must remember is each of these characters owned up to and repented of their sins, and God used them mightily to impact the world for Christ. Therefore, let us not compare the unique purposes God has placed on each of our hearts as if some are less important than others. For the apostle Paul reminds us, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). We go no place by accident because the Lord's hand is constantly at work, bringing to fruition His sovereign will for our lives wherever we go. Therefore, let us rejoice and praise His Name for the gift of salvation He provided through the willing sacrifice of a young girl who accepted her unique purpose and mission to bear the Savior of the world. May we emulate the same willingness to submit and obey the Lord's calling on each of our lives when the Spirit prompts us to act. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).